Louisiana linebacker says Clemson "blew me away"

Constantin made his commitment official Friday afternoon

by Nikki Hood - Staff Writer - Fri Apr 13 19:29:40 GMT-04:00 2018

Hailing from the shadows of LSU’s Tiger Stadium, 3-star linebacker Bryton Constantin decided Clemson’s Death Valley will be his home for the next four years with his commitment Friday afternoon.

The Baton Rouge (LA) University Lab School linebacker chose Clemson over offers from Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Auburn, Florida, TCU and Houston, and joins 4-star Milton High School (Ga.) safety Joseph Charleston in Clemson’s 2019 class, in addition to 3-star Riverdale (Ga.) TE Jaelyn Lay, 3-star Calhoun (Ga.) WR Brannon Spector and IMG Academy (Fla.) punter Aidan Swanson.

Constantin is visiting Clemson this weekend for the spring game and decided to go ahead and make his commitment official while in head coach Dabo Swinney’s office.

“I didn't know for sure until this week. I've always thought about it and considered it. I just made up my mind this week,” Constantin told TigerNet Friday evening. “I'm visiting up here so I told Coach Dabo in his office. He stood up and hugged me.”

While Clemson’s success on the football field stands out, it was what the Tigers can provide off the field that really grabbed Constantin’s attention.

“I knew coming into the weekend that I was going to make the decision. Just the relationship that I have with Coach (Brent) Venables,” Constantin said. “I know the way this program is formed that it will shape me into a better man and not just a football player. It will make me a better person. Just the relationships I have and the success that the program has had - academic wise and football wise.

“It's not even just the things about Clemson. It's everything that the coaches tell me and the relationships I have with them. I know that they're a really good football program with really good academics. Everything that I looked at just kind of clicked together and it just blew me away. I couldn't pass up the opportunity.”

Venables – Clemson’s defensive coordinator and linebackers coach has served as Constantin’s primary recruiter and the relationship the two have built played a big factor in his decision.

“It's good. We talked daily. He talks to my mom every other day but me and him text daily,” he said. “I have a really good relationship with him. I know I can trust him and I know that I can count on him and he can do the same with me. With my potential and my physical attributes, I feel like he'll do a perfect job with me.”

Constantin was on campus for Clemson’s March junior day, but he said he’s looking forward to seeing what Death Valley has in store for Saturday’s spring game.

“I'm just looking for a good environment tomorrow. I know all of the fans will be there. I'm just looking for a good time and just to be able to talk to my future family,” he said.

The 6-2, 220-pound linebacker helped lead a state championship effort with 104 tackles, 23 for loss, and six sacks.